National Republican., 1887-12-10
wuIRL or SOCIETY.
The Activity Unprecedented for This
Time Of the Year.

Time OF the Year,
Within the pnst week the city has stepped
into social activity that is unprecedented
for this season Of the year, The caterers
cay they have never had 90 early a season,
and they rejoice thereat. Then there Is
serenest Joy in many breasts because the
season promises to be highly satisfactory in
many directions. The division OF the
season into its natural sections
10 most fortunate. An experienced
matron who has returned TO the
capital after an absence OF twenty years,
said yesterday that the most enjoyable
portions Of the year here, socially, were the
Lenten period. Washington people know
how true this statement Is, aud accordingly
this is to be the ideal year. The official
season begins with the Presidents New
YEARS. reception on Monday, the ID day 10
January, 1888. Then Ash Wednesday arrives
on the 15th,day Of February, the day after ",
Valentines, e,giving season OF six weeks Ia
which TO crowd the entire official pro-
gramme. IL 10 probable that the usual
there state dinners, and four evening re-
ceptions, besides whatever else the Presl-
dent and Mrs. Cleveland may elect TO do in
the wsy OF Saturday afternoon levees and
luncheon parties. The Cabinet dinners.
too, and the British minister's ball, aud
similar events must be in the programme
that closes with st. Valentines
snS snS The he forty tx difss fss.. of dsys hsns
as all Sabbath days are 80 accounted, bring
the great day Of Easter revival upon the
1st day Of April, and lovely spring season
OF three months duration, with Congress
in session, and probable national conven-
tion or two, to keep the city lively through
the delicious languor Of early summer.
Another matter Of self-congratulatiop
herais the unusual number Of marriagesble e
men there are In society. Have you counted
them upp Not 10 go into detail too minute
ly, a seconds thought on the subject will
recall wonderful array. We Will not
mention the heir apparent for the list, al
though he might with propriety be placed
there. The Right Hon. Joseph Cham
berlaip, still young man, Is 0
widower for the second time. Prof
sonian, is unmarried; alec Hon. George H.
Rivcs, Assistant Secretary Of State, and
Hon. stephen Hopkins, who represents the
seventeenth district OF New York. Senator
w. B. Allison, Of Iowa, is still widower
and Justice Gray, with beautiful new
house just finishing, is not reported en-
gagged. Sir John Swlnburne, who has re
turned to the Arlington, was with the
peace commission that paid flying
visit here short time ago, and Il
In The matrimonial market. There
are scores OF men In the diplomatic corps,
and among our own people are DR.. NJ l.
Ruth, Of the navy, Indispensable at wed
dings and chrlstepings; Mr.. W. v. r Berry
who leads the german with great grace aud
good humor; Senator Beck, Senator Voor
hees, Senator Wade Hampton, Hon. john
w. Thompson, Gen. w. II. Browne, Hon
Perry Belmont, DR.. Willie May, and scores
Of others. Time and space does not DER
NIT the half Of them to be named.
The ladies OF the Cabinet have succeeded
In ridding themselves of the monstrout
burden Of returning in person all the CALI
made upon them. Now that the matter
has been arranged so satisfactorily The
wander is that they ever attempted to re
turn the visits. This year the wives o
senators will endeavor to throw of the yoK,
of personally returning all visits mad,
them at their public receptions. On,
charming little lady upon whose dainty
| delicate shoulders the burden imposed lie
heavily, Is able at the greatest pressure t.
make forty-nine visits in an afternoon, bu
| In 80 doing the result Is disastrous to coach
| man and horses and she has alread,
had three hard illnesses from
| that sort OF overwork. Scores o
| good women might be. named
here who have gone into their graves from
| the fatigue and exhaustion, resulting frou
following the inane custom Of returning tn
| visit Of every man, woman, or child WHIT
| chooses to leave q card in the house OF
United States senator on days when hi
wife holds public reception.